The traditional combination of dal, chawal, roti and sabzi (lentils, rice, Indian bread and vegetables), arranged on an Indian thali (a serving platter), often includes two other dishes that serve as perfect accompaniments - fresh salads and yogurt relishes called raitas.

 

An Indian salad can be as simple as an onion thinly sliced into rings and sprinkled with salt and lemon juice to accompany a heavy meat or chicken dish. Or a Beetroot raita that brightens the plate with Burani, a roasted eggplant yogurt used as a dip, or spread or cubes of spiced mango with coconut.

 

Wherever your preferences may lie, all the salads and raitas on my blog are as quick to prepare as they are to polish off.